Drive from Europe to the U.S.? Russia proposes world's greatest superhighway

CNN ^ | March 25, 2015 | Chuck Thompson

[MinorityRepublican]

Route as roughly interpreted by CNN. The proposed plan for a massive trans-Siberian highway would link Russia's eastern border with the U.S. state of Alaska.

London to New York City by car?

It could happen if the head of Russian Railways has his way.

According to a March 23 report in The Siberian Times, Russian Railways president Vladimir Yakunin has proposed a plan for a massive trans-Siberian highway that would link his country's eastern border with the U.S. state of Alaska, crossing a narrow stretch of the Bering Sea that separates Asia and North America.

The scheme was unveiled at a meeting of the Moscow-based Russian Academy of Science.

Dubbed the Trans-Eurasian Belt Development (TEPR), the project calls for a major roadway to be constructed alongside the existing Trans-Siberian Railway, along with a new train network and oil and gas pipelines.

"This is an inter-state, inter-civilization, project," the Siberian Times quoted Yakunin. "The project should be turned into a world 'future zone,' and it must be based on leading, not catching, technologies."

[dainbramaged]

The Russians don’t have a paved highway from one side of their country to the other, IIRC. A Bering Sea bridge? Maybe, it would probably take 50 years.

[Ouderkirk]

Gumball.

[tflabo]

I say nyet in Russian.... more opportunities for riff raff (muzzie and otherwise) to enter the USA.

[manc]

I would love it

[Daffynition]

What could possibly go wrong? What a great idea.

[MaxMax]

Well, they would have Canada to deal with and their superior military might
before reaching the mainland.

[Slambat]

Bridging The Bering Strait

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ecVZg7xxMw

[Jonty30]

Two problems that I can see offhand, and there may be others.

1. It’s just not economically feasible to do this. Even if they built an accompanying railway had had trains going across it that were as long as we could make them, ships still can transport goods at a more economical rate, even accounting for the longer time it would take to ship goods by ship vs rail.

2. From what I understand, the Bering Strait is really rough during times of storm. Unless we have new ways of making concrete, the Strait would eventually tear apart whatever we put in there.

[ExCTCitizen]

No there would be a ‘Govard Ivanovitch’s’ at every exit. (Howard Johnson’s in Russian).

[Daffynition]

Or a scenic overlook when you pass by Palin's house?

[dfwgator]

Or a “Borscht House.”

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Give me a break. The price tag alone for the construction would easily top $5 trillion dollars, and it would take about a decade to complete. Yearly maintenance would be about $100 billion dollars. Plus, the logistics of building both a highway in Alaska and across the Bering Strait would be a nightmare, as the Bering Strait is about 50 miles at its narrowest point. Most likely a ferry would be better utilized, but only during the short summer months.

This is a pipe dream.

[mikrofon]

“Hey, I can see Russia from here!”

< /Fey OFF >

[luvbach1]

I like the idea too. Good for those with a fear of flying (actually fear of crashing).

[Daffynition]

I've traveled on the ARR in the autumn....I can't imagine what it's like in the winter!

[BenLurkin]

Tanks, but no tanks!

[FatherofFive]

Gumball.

"And now, my friend... the first rule of Italian driving. What's behind me is not important."

[Michael.SF.]

Sounds like an old movie:

[Ouderkirk]

He who has the gold, makes the rules. And rule #1, I go first.

[Impala64ssa]

Going to have Howard Johnsons every few exits or so? I know, dating myself.
I remember when we drove to FL all those tourist traps along US301, before I-95 was completed. I wonder if there will be any places to pull off to pick up Georgia peaches, or pecans?